What are you making with that material?
Joe
Joe
What CNC Router for 1 inch Thk Aluminum Plate
Looking to purchase a 4x8 CNC router that can mill 1 inch 6061-T6 aluminum plate and have an accuracy and repeatability of 0.0035" in X and Y. Workpiece is 35" x 35". Any brands or manufacturers suggestions are welcome
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
For repeated 1" thick routing with accuracy, I would look at a waterjet machine instead.
Joe
Joe
What are you making with that material?
Joe
I need to make blind features as well, water jet can’t do thatFor repeated 1" thick routing with accuracy, I would look at a waterjet machine instead.
Joe
There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Joe
Joe
I've purchased 1/2, 3/4 and 1" thick CNC cut letters and graphics from Sign Manufacturers. If there is a large custom sign shop in your area that does CNC Aluminum signs & graphics, maybe you could drop in and share some notes.
Leeds Aluminum Signs in Leeds, AL and Gemini Signage are two that I've done business with over the years.
Not to be invasive, but, is this a new adventure for you - or, have you been out-sourcing the jobs in the past.
Leeds Aluminum Signs in Leeds, AL and Gemini Signage are two that I've done business with over the years.
Not to be invasive, but, is this a new adventure for you - or, have you been out-sourcing the jobs in the past.
Don’t ask any questions! 
Joe
Joe
Mike - this is a very slow moving forum, mostly old retired woodworker folks that "dabble" in all kinds of woodworking tools and machinery.
That said; we all can't be here all the time. So it may take a day or two or ten before you get the answers that suit you.
Another option would be to visit www.signs101.com They specialize in CAD/CAM & CNC work.
That said; we all can't be here all the time. So it may take a day or two or ten before you get the answers that suit you.
Another option would be to visit www.signs101.com They specialize in CAD/CAM & CNC work.
Or go to CNCZone.com
It sounds like he needs a CNC MILL, not a router.
Joe
It sounds like he needs a CNC MILL, not a router.
Joe
BTW, welcome to the forum, @little mike
Welcome to the forum @little mike
No 3 phase power.Or go to CNCZone.com
It sounds like he needs a CNC MILL, not a router.
Joe
They make phase converters that will handle that. They are rated by horsepower, so you get the one that will provide sufficient power for your 3-phase machine.No 3 phase power.
Joe
Are you contour milling, or are you just cutting out parts in profile? You were rather specific in your choice of aluminum, are you making parts for maunfacturing.Looking to purchase a 4x8 CNC router that can mill 1 inch 6061-T6 aluminum plate and have an accuracy and repeatability of 0.0035" in X and Y. Workpiece is 35" x 35". Any brands or manufacturers suggestions are welcome
Thanks in advance
If you are contour milling, you will need a pretty big machine, and it will need to be mounted to a solid floor, quite thick. This can be pretty costly.
In any case to hold the accuricy you should look at a mill, probably a gantry type. You cannot use a mill/router for wood, unless you cut very very slowly, as you will get a lot of deflection otherwise.
I do wordworking as a hobby, with some selling on the side, but I am a retired mechanical engineer and one of my projects was the tooling to make the B-2 bomber, which was all aluminum.
Your overall size of your material, will require a pretty good size machine. You might consider contracting out the part.
Good luck, Tim
G'day Tim, welcome to the forum.
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
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